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Seorak Forum on Peace Unification 2024

The Seorak Peace Unification Forum, held on March 22, 2024, in Sokcho, was organized by the Hanns-Seidel Foundation (HSS) and the Korea Institute for Peace and Cooperation (KIPCO). The forum addressed the political situation on the Korean Peninsula, geopolitical challenges in the Indo-Pacific, and Korean reunification in the context of German reunification. Strategies to enhance regional competitiveness and the role of the Seorak region in reunification and tourism promotion in Sokcho were discussed.

Youngtaek Kim, Vice President of KIPCO, opened the forum. Following opening remarks by Giwoong Son (Seorak Peace Unification Forum) and Dr. Bernhard Seliger (HSS Korea), congratulations were extended to the mayors of Sokcho, Inje, Goseong, and Yangyang, as well as to Vice President Mansik Lee of Kyungdong University. The significance of the meeting was underscored by the participation of Yangsoo Lee, a member of the National Assembly, and Mayor Byeongseon Lee.

 

Discussions emphasized the need for strong alliances in the Indo-Pacific and analyzed foreign policy challenges on the Korean Peninsula. Dr. Seliger compared North Korea's proposal for a two-state solution to the German division, stressing the importance of dialogue, and citing the surprising German reunification.

The second session, moderated by Hyuksoon Gwon (Senior Editorial Writer, Kangwon News), focused on re-evaluating the Seorak region from a "reunification perspective." Approaches to enhancing regional competitiveness and development, based on Germany's experiences and the border regions between the DPRK and China, were presented. Minchul Lee, CEO of Taekwang Co. Ltd., and Jaekyung Hwang, Minister of Sokcho Central Presbyterian Church, discussed diversifying tourism and connecting everyday life and regional specialties to promote tourism.

Minchul Lee, Geschäftsführer von Taekwang Co. Ltd., und Jaekyung Hwang, Minister der Sokcho Central Presbyterian Church, diskutierten über die Diversifizierung des Tourismus und die Verbindung von Alltagsleben und regionalen Besonderheiten zur Tourismusförderung.

Hyeyoung Jo, Advisor to the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, emphasized cultural bridge-building between North and South Korea. Giwoong Son announced that the Seorak Peace and Unification Forum Open Academy would take place every Thursday in May and October, aiming to actively engage residents in regional development and garner support for local initiatives. Residents of the Seorak region were encouraged to unite with a new vision and determination for their future.

 

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